Understanding Tasmania’s Future Climate

1.1

Review climate change models, identify research gaps and opportunities, and determine priority research projects to update Tasmania’s climate science

DPAC (TCCO)

We are continuing to improve our understanding of Tasmania’s future climate by undertaking priority research projects, including enterprise suitability mapping; climate change and health; and natural hazards impacts.

The 2020 Tasmanian Government’s $750,000 Climate Research Grants Program offered grants of up to $50,000 for climate research projects and/or the development of decision support tools that address the priority areas of research need in Tasmania. Funding is being provided for 16 projects, including: analyse biosecurity and invasive pests; understand the risks of the changing climate on key industry sectors; and examine the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change. Most projects should be completed by late 2021.

In progress

1.2

Undertake research to build our understanding of Tasmania’s vulnerability to coincident extreme events and their impacts

DPAC (TCCO)

The Compound Extreme Events in Tasmania research project aimed to improve understanding of compound extreme event types and how the frequency and intensity of these events may change in the future as a result of climate change. A workshop was held with key stakeholders to discuss the results and the report.

Complete

1.3

Provide sector-specific information on Tasmania’s future climate through tailored climate information and decision support tools for end users

DPAC (TCCO)

TCCO, in partnership with Hydro Tasmania and CSIRO, has now held three Tasmanian Climate Symposiums. The annual Symposium brings together key decision makers from government and industry, and Tasmanian researchers, to network, share learnings and work collaboratively to translate climate research into better policy and practice.

The theme from the third Symposium, held in October 2020, was how businesses are managing climate variability, and preparing for and adapting to change, and the world-class Tasmanian research exploring the impacts, variability and change.

Representatives from the government, financial accounting, agriculture, climate science, and marine sectors gave presentations on the impacts, risks and opportunities of climate change.

Ongoing

1.4

Support an ongoing commitment to the National Climate Science Centre in Hobart

DPAC (TCCO)

The Tasmanian Government continues to advocate for the maintenance of a strong scientific research capability in Tasmania, particularly through the CSIRO Climate Science Centre. The Centre works in national partnership with the Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Antarctic Division, and the university sector.

Tasmania’s other world-class science bodies include the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies; the University of Tasmania’s Geography and Spatial Sciences; the Centre for Marine Socioecology; and the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science.

Ongoing